Whispers of new Melbourne to Port flight route

Flights direct from Port Macquarie seem to have edged
closer to take off.

The Port News understands Virgin Australia is looking
closely at the number of people from our town flying to Sydney
and on to Victoria’s
metropolis.

An airline employee based in the city told this
newspaper her employer was crunching the numbers now. While a spokeswoman would
not confirm this, she revealed the airline consistently reviewed flights across
the network.

“There is no plans to introduce a direct flight to Melbourne at this stage,”
she said. “We don’t ask guests where they’re travelling and why.”

“Our annual customer surveys show there is significant
demand from the community and local businesses for direct services to Melbourne,” Mr
Swift-McNair said.

“The proposed upgrade of Port
Macquarie Airport
will enable services from Melbourne
using a range of aircraft up to 180-seat B737-800 and A320 type aircraft, and
provide the potential for significant economic benefits through the forecast
growth in passenger numbers and the number of people visiting our region.”

Tourism Association president Janette Hyde said Melbourne would be a more lucrative market than Brisbane: “Our climate is more consistent than Melbourne, so Victorians
are more likely to travel here to escape the cold,” she said.

Retirees from
down south travel up to our town in camper vans during winter months, but an
hour and a half flight would expand the demographics of people able to journey
to the Hastings.

“It’s hard for most people to find time to drive all
the way up here,” Mrs Hyde said.

“A flight makes it that much easier.”

Business travel is another lucrative market, with the
potential for Victorians to host conferences here.

A record 20,284 passengers were flew in and out of
Port Macquarie in March, council figures show.

The association
has developed campaigns with Brisbane, which Virgin
began a route between in October last year, and Mrs Hyde said a similar
relationship with Melbourne
would be an aim.

The Port News understands Virgin Australia is looking closely at the number of people from our town flying to Sydney and on to Victoria’s metropolis.